Statement of the First National
Lesbian Rights Conference
December 7-9, 1996,
Silang, Cavite, Philippines

The First National Lesbian Rights
Conference with the theme Hearing Our Voices in Unity:
Claiming Our Rights, Controlling Our Lives was
successfully held last December 7 - 9, 1996 in Silang,
Cavite. We, the lesbians who participated in this
herstoric gathering declare the following:

We, the seventyfive lesbians in attendance represent
208 lesbians from the ranks of the workers, students,
professionals, urban poor, peasants, indigenous people and
other sectors who participated in the sectoral
consultations prior to the conference. We have gathered
from the different regions of the Philippines which
include Davao, Baguio, Laoag, Cotabato, Olongapo, La
Union, Cebu, Nueva Vizcaya, Manila as well as the United
States and Canada. We speak different languages and
express ourselves in distinct ways, our knowledge and
experiences are rich and varied, and we define ourselves
and realities in many ways. Our views, political beliefs
and actions are diverse. We have come together to share
and discuss the stories of our lives. We discovered the
multiplicity of our existence and have agreed to process
our experiences towards a common analysis, action and
vision.

However, we live in a society that cannot accept us
yet. Homophobia, the irrational fear and hatred of gays
and lesbians, is a giant shadow that looms over us. We
encounter violence in its many forms. We face so many
obstacles towards the expression of our sexuality. We are
denied the opportunity to express our knowledge,
capabilities and skills in various fields of endeavor. We
are deprived of the right to lead and conduct our lives
freely unlike other people. This situation is further
compounded by the existing discrimination levelled against
women and the economically disadvantaged in general.

Today, we claim the rights that have been denied to us
by our society. We will communicate to our families and
friends the realities of our existence towards
understanding and respect. We shall slowly dismantle the
discrimination, fears and the negative images sown by
churches and the mass media.

We reiterate that our rights as lesbians are human
rights.

We have the right to express our sexuality,

We have the right to form families,

We have the right to selfdetermination,

We have the right to participate in political
discourse and action,

We have the right to just wages, benefits and job
security.

Now is the time to harness strength and take action. We
claim the right to live as lesbians in our society with
dignity, respect and integrity. We shall set the direction
that we wish to take.

On this day, the 9th of December 1996, on the eve of
the international human rights day, we loudly declare that
we are here united as we claim our lesbian rights and
existence!